The tale of the trees

Sunday

Sep 11, 2011 at 12:29 AM

The three palm trees in the flag circle at M.C. Riley Elementary School were each festooned with large red, white and blue ribbon bouquets Friday morning.

The humble magnolia sharing the plot shaded the brass plaque which read “We Remember, We Honor, We Unite September 11, 2001 Low Country GCSA.” The water in the 10 tall glass vials on the brick border shimmered in the bright sun.

Barely a whisper was heard when the crowd was called to attention as the Bluffton Township Fire Department Color Guard stood ready to present the colors. The four firefighters marched up, surrounded the flagpole, saluted as the flag was raised to the top and lowered to half-mast, and then marched away.

One by one, individual students and whole classes acknowledged their pride in being an American and honoring those who protected and defended the country.

Too young to have any memory of the events that took place 10 years ago, the students nonetheless were able to put into words their thoughts on freedom and America. The program was organized by the student council with the help of their teachers and included the fourth and fifth grades singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” pre-kindergarten through first grade classes singing “This Land is Your Land” and the second and third grades singing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

THE TALE OF THE TREES

The palm trees were the idea of John William Wilkerson, a fifth grade student at M.C. Riley in 2001. His father, Mitchell Wilkerson, recalled the conversation at Friday’s ceremony.

“He said, ‘Dad, we’ve got to do something at the school.’ He wanted to plant something and he wanted everybody to be able to see it every day,” Wilkerson said. With the help and continued support of the Low Country Golf Course Superintendents Association, the trees were planted and now grow and thrive in front of the school.

Wilkerson said there were three things on the plaque: Remember, honor and unite. “That’s what the garden does and that’s what I think it does. It came from a fifth grader, a student like you, and it makes us proud to be an American.”

SCHOOL MEMORIES

“This is a special event that captures the sense of community in Bluffton,” said principal Adrienne Sutton. She shared memories of past M.C. Riley students, parents and teachers. One teacher realized that “life is about people. Be good to others.”

A student who had a lemonade stand took donations instead of charging people. With the help of others he was able to raise $8,000 to help those affected by the attacks.

Sutton described young Wilkerson as a “student who took action.”

A parent in the medical field told Sutton she was moved to learn more about trauma care, found herself holding her children closer and had a greater appreciation for the efforts of her firefighter brother.

HONORING LOSS

Beaufort County Board of Education member Steven Morello’s father was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. He asked how many thought that saluting the flag and saying “America’s number one” was the best way to honor America. When no one raised their hands, he said that was good to do but not the best.

“The best thing you can do for America is do well in school,” Morello said. “That’s what you can do to honor my father and all those who died. That’s the best way to make your country a better place. I think my father would say that.”

LETTERS AND NUMBERS

“A if for America, M is for the military. E is for encouragement, R is for remembrance, I is for independence, C is for citizenship and A is for accomplishment.”

There were numerous readings spelling out what America meant to the students and then, after a moment of silence and a musical tribute by Angela Burnaugh, director of music ministries at the Church of the Cross, Sutton explained the 10 vials of water.

“There are 10 yellow roses here for remembrance,” she said. “The first rose is for all first responders. The second is for all firefighters. The third is for all police officers.”

The other roses followed for all paramedics, all those associated with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and National Guard and Coast Guard.

“And the 10th is for all of the heroes of Bluffton who keep us safe.”

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